Fantasy managers, it's that time. Week 3 is here, and if you're sitting at 0-2, I know you're feeling the heat. But hey, don't panic—there’s still time to turn things around. Fantasy football isn't won in Week 3, but let's be honest, it’s not fun when you’re winless and staring down the possibility of 0-3. And let me tell you, 0-3 can be the kind of hole that feels never-ending to climb out of. So let’s figure out how to avoid that, shall we?
Step One: Remember that How Things Look after 2 weeks will not be how the entire season goes
Just to level set a bit let’s look at some rankings through Week 2 (prior to MNF) to get our head on straight.
If you had to put $ on which of those will finish in the Top 5 for the season how many would you really consider? Murray? Carr? We would say Murray only but you get the point. Darnold, Baker and Daniel Jones will not likely even finish Top 10.
RB Rankings to Note: #4 Breece Hall, #6 Braelon Allen. Will 2 NYJ finish in the Top 10? No. Will Breece Hall still likely finish Top 5, yes!
WR Rankings to Note: Right now both Seahawks WR not named Lockett are in the Top 10, not likely to happen but they look strong!
You get the point here… As you head into Week 3, remember 2 games is just that 2 games. Trends to watch for sure, take some swings on some potential upside players but don’t draw conclusions on everybody. This league runs in swings and some of these players will get right quickly.
Step Two: Don’t Freak Out About Injuries (But Pay Attention!)
Next, we need to talk about injuries because Week 2 was like an NFL version of "Game of Thrones"—plenty of battles, and several key players went down. You’re probably already feeling the sting if you’re a Justin Herbert or Christian McCaffrey owner, and you might be wondering, “What now?” The key here is responding but not overreacting.
Here’s a quick rundown of critical injuries and what you need to do:
Isiah Pacheco (RB, Chiefs): Pacheco is out for an extended period with a fractured fibula. Your immediate move here is to grab Carson Steele (available in most leagues) or Samaje Perine. Steele will likely get the short-yardage and goal-line carries, making him the best pickup for Pacheco managers.
Justin Herbert (QB, Chargers): Herbert's leg injury isn't expected to keep him out long, but you’ll want to monitor this one closely. If he doesn’t go, have a streaming QB ready (Derek Carr or Geno Smith should be your targets).
Christian McCaffrey (RB, 49ers): CMC is out for at least four weeks. This one hurts, but Jordan Mason is the next man up and can get you by.
Cooper Kupp (WR, Rams): Kupp left Week 2 in a walking boot—never a good sign. If you need a plug, Tyler Johnson or Demarcus Robinson are solid options to scoop off waivers.
Joe Mixon (RB, Bengals): He’s dealing with an ankle issue, but early reports suggest he’ll play. However, Braelon Allen looks like a nice stash behind him.
Deebo Samuel (WR, 49ers): Deebo suffered a calf strain and is expected to be out a minimum of 2 weeks. Deebo has a long history of injuries so we are hoping this is his only one of the season and Niners take ample time in rehabbing him.
AJ Brown (WR, Eagles): AJ Brown has a hamstring strain. This injury is a massive nuisance for fantasy managers, as they can often linger for way longer than you’d like. Jahan Dotson could be an interesting replacement in the offense and for your fantasy team as well.
Evan Engram (TE, Jaguars): Engram was ruled out after a hamstring injury in warmups for their week 2 game. This could be a multi week injury, which is very unfortunate given the bleak nature of the TE market right now. Some potential targets could be Colby Parkinson or Cole Kmet.
Step Three: Don’t Let 0-3 Happen (Because It’s Ugly)
Being 0-2 feels rough, but starting 0-3? Now we’re getting into that "making-the-playoffs is tough" territory. And while going 0-2 is manageable, digging yourself out of 0-3 is tough. It can be done, but it’s not for the weak..
So, how do you avoid it? The trick is to be proactive. Sure, you might have lost your first two games, but you’re not out. Here’s how to attack Week 3:
Adjust your roster with flexibility. Don’t hold onto players because of where you drafted them. If your first-round pick is injured (cough, cough, CMC), move fast to get a backup plan in place.
Take risks when necessary. This isn’t the week to play it safe. Go for the high-upside guys who can swing a game in your favor. Yes, that means trusting someone like Rashee Rice or Quentin Johnston to give you a boost if you're thin at WR.
Pay attention to matchups. Not all defenses are created equal. For instance, if you’re streaming QBs, Derek Carr facing a shaky Eagles defense is a juicy matchup. Don’t overthink it—play the matchups when setting your lineup.
Step Four: Week 3 Waiver Wire – Who You Need
The waiver wire is your best friend, especially with all the injuries. Here are the top adds by position for Week 3:
Quarterbacks:
Derek Carr (Saints): The Saints offense is on fire, and Carr is distributing the ball like crazy. He’s a must-pick if you need QB help.
Geno Smith (Seahawks): Another solid streaming option. He’s got weapons like DK Metcalf and JSN, and the matchups are favorable.
Running Backs:
Carson Steele (Chiefs): Pacheco is out, and Steele should see goal-line work. In a high-powered Chiefs offense, this guy can get you solid points.
Braelon Allen (Jets): A promising stash behind Breece Hall. He could step into a bigger role as the season progresses, and he already flashed in Week 2.
Wide Receivers:
Quentin Johnston (Chargers): Johnston is starting to live up to his potential and is worth a stash, especially with the Chargers offense ramping up.
Tyler Johnson (Rams): With Kupp likely out, Johnson should see an increased workload.
Josh Downs (Colts): Returning from injury and a trusted target in this system. Could be a big share of the offense in the slot.
Xavier Legette (Panthers): With Bryce Young benched, the panthers will start Andy Dalton who has shockingly been able to provide fantasy points to his receivers. Legette profiles as a hail mary upside pickup if you already have depth.
Tight Ends:
Hunter Henry (Patriots): He’s getting a ton of targets and in a position starved for reliable options, Henry is a solid TE1.
Colby Parkinson (Rams): With L.A.’s receiving corps thinned out, Parkinson has sneaky upside for a TE play.
Step Five: Don’t Let the Stress Get to You
Fantasy football is a wild ride, so remember: "It’s not over till it’s over." It’s still early in the season. The key is staying proactive, making moves, and putting yourself in a position to win.
In the words of fantasy guru Matthew Berry: “Fortune favors the bold.” So be bold, work that waiver wire, and let’s get a win in Week 3.
And remember, FF Ring Factory has the tools to help you crush your league. Whether you need trade advice, deep sleeper picks, or strategic insights, we’ve got your back.
Happy Ring Chasing!
-FF Ring Factory Team
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